Portable elbow cushion

ABSTRACT

A portable elbow cushion including a cushioning member positionable between a user&#39;s elbow and a hard surface to alleviate any stress on the elbow when normally positioned on the hard surface. The cushioning member is fabricated of foam padding.

CROSS REFERENCES AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER

[0001] This application relates to subject matter contained in Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/260,245, filed in the United States Patent Office on Jan. 8, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable elbow cushion and more particularly pertains to providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting their elbow on a hard surface.

[0003] People who frequently use computers, or work at desks, are often forced to rest their elbows on the desk for long periods of time. This situation often creates a painful discomfort to the person's elbow. What is needed is a device that a person can positioned between their elbow and their desk in order to alleviate the discomfort that results from resting an elbow on a hard surface.

[0004] The present invention attempts to solve the abovementioned problem by providing a small, portable cushioning device that can be positioned under a person's elbow while they working at a desk or other hard surface.

[0005] The use of cushioning devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, cushioning devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of providing comfort are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, these patents do not describe a portable elbow cushion for providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting his or her elbow on a hard surface.

[0007] In this respect, the portable elbow cushion according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting his or her elbow on a hard surface.

[0008] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved portable elbow cushion which can be used for providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting their elbow on a hard surface. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cushioning devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved portable elbow cushion. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0010] To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a cushioning member positionable between a user's elbow and a hard surface to alleviate any stress on the elbow when normally positioned on the hard surface. The cushioning member is fabricated of foam padding.

[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion which has all the advantages of the prior art cushioning devices and none of the disadvantages.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion which is of durable and reliable construction.

[0017] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a portable elbow cushion economically available to the buying public.

[0018] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion for providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting their elbow on a hard surface.

[0019] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elbow cushion including a cushioning member positionable between a user's elbow and a hard surface to alleviate any stress on the elbow when normally positioned on the hard surface. The cushioning member is fabricated of foam padding.

[0020] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable elbow cushion constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second design of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third design of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in use.

[0026] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved portable elbow cushion embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0028] Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a portable elbow cushion for providing comfort to an elbow of a person who spends time resting their elbow on a hard surface.

[0029] The present invention is essentially comprised of a cushioning member 10. Note FIGS. 1-3. The cushioning member 10 is positionable between a user's elbow 12 and a hard surface 14 to alleviate any stress on the elbow 12 when it is normally positioned on the hard surface 14. Note FIG. 4. The cushioning member 10 is fabricated of foam padding. The cushioning member 10 is substantially the size of an adult elbow joint, but can take numerous forms. FIG. 1 illustrates the cushioning member 10 has a star-shaped cross-section. FIG. 2 illustrates the cushioning member 10 in a square-like configuration. FIG. 3 illustrates the cushioning member 10 in a circular configuration. FIG. 4 illustrates the present invention in use wherein the cushioning member 10 in placed atop a hard surface 14 such as a desk, and the elbow is rested upon the cushioning member 10. The user is thereby allowed to comfortably use a keyboard 18.

[0030] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0031] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An elbow cushioning method, for allowing a user to comfortably rest an elbow upon a hard surface, comprising the steps of: providing a cushion substantially the size of an adult elbow joint; placing the cushion on the hard surface; resting the elbow upon the cushion.
 2. The elbow cushioning method as recited in claim 1, wherein the cushion is made of foam. 